Fantasia Barrino Baby Father Sues for Full Custody

Former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino is currently facing a battle with her ex-boyfriend, Brandel Shouse, in which he suing for full custody of the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Zion. The man filed legal documents in the early morning of October 5, 2014.

In the documents, Shouse details his claims that he is by fair a more fit parent for the child than Barrino, and therefore, should be awarded full legal and physical custody of the girl. The North Carolina native herself is reportedly incredulous over the claims, given that she says Shouse has not ponied up a cent in support of the girl over the past 13 years, nor has he been involved in her life physically or emotionally. Sources close to her say that she is more than ready for a custody fight, as she feels that Shouse had no chance whatsoever in winning the case due to the aforementioned allegations of neglect. The 30-year-old is reportedly planning on asking for child support from Shouse due to his recent filing for custody, as it shows he is able-bodied and capable of working. Barrino reportedly feels that if Shouse is stable enough to request complete custody of their daughter, he is more than able to provide a substantial monetary amount of support for the girl.

While the former couple has yet to even go through the starter process of a custody battle, the likelihood of Shouse gaining any sort of custody at all is said to be slim to none. This is due to a previous legal matter in which he pleaded guilty to physical abusing Barrino and choking her. Not only that, but those close to Barrino feel as though the man’s aforementioned lack of relationship with Zion will factor into the judge’s decision, as well as his potential reasoning for suddenly wanting to be involved in the child’s life. Connected sources believe that Shouse is only interested in the 13-year-old girl because her mother is just once again starting to gain fame in the entertainment world, having just recently released her fourth studio album, entitled Side Effects of You. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, an all-time high for the singer. She is currently at the height of her musical career, selling more records and gaining more popularity than she ever did prior to her four-year hiatus in 2006.

Moreover, her friends and family believe that her ex’s sudden interest in being a part of their daughter’s life is absolutely connected with her newly reinstated celebrity status, and that he is feigning parental concern when all he really wants is a golden ticket to cash in on Barrino’s fame. They feel as though it is not a coincidence that Shouse had no interest in the daughter while her mother was going through financial hardships, having been forced to foreclose her house in April of last year following a failed attempt to sell it to other buyers.

It remains to be seen what will become of Fantasia Barrino’s ex-boyfriend’s attempts to secure full custody of their daughter. The custody suit is said to begin in 2015.